The Questions Worth Asking Before You Commit to an Online Nursing Program

It's almost hard to believe that you can learn how to be a nurse online. This is admittedly a relatively recent development, and even more recently, one that has become widely accepted. During the pandemic, many programs that were traditionally only executed in the conventional classroom environment were moved online. And while there are no significant safety-related reasons for people to learn virtually now, it is a popular and accessible choice.

If you're a parent who wants to pivot into nursing in your 30s, 40s, or even 50s, online curricula are often the most accessible path forward. But they're also not all created equally, and this article will take a look at what questions you should ask an online school before you sign up.

Verify That It Is Regionally Accredited

First, verify that it is regionally accredited. This is something you can check with the school itself, but you'll most likely want to verify what they say through your state regulatory body. Regional accreditation means that the credential you earn from this university will be recognized by the state.

You can most likely assume that the online school you choose is nationally accredited, which means that it is recognized by the federal government, but you still can't get a state-issued license unless it's regionally recognized as well. There might be dozens of federally accredited online nursing programs, but only a handful of ones that are recognized in your state.

There actually is a path forward for people whose degrees come from schools that are not regionally accredited, but it will generally involve additional steps and possibly more money on your part. It's easier in most cases to just find a school that your state already recognizes.

Find Out How They Handle Clinical Rotations

No matter what kind of learning environment you select, clinical rotations will be a mandatory requirement. It's through these experiences that you gain reps in an actual hospital environment. Online schools generally develop cooperative relationships with hospitals in a wide variety of communities. They may even have nursing educators who are able to monitor and mentor you.

They should be able to facilitate learning experiences at a hospital near you, but it's definitely a good idea to go in knowing what that process looks like. How much clinical oversight is there? Who is your person of contact, etc.? This is arguably one of the most important aspects of nursing education, so you want to make sure it's being done correctly.

Ask About Their Resources

There are lots of extra frills that universities have available to students who want extra support. These opportunities are generally free and can help you have a more successful and enjoyable college experience.

• Tutoring services.
• Helpful simulation or research apps.
• Mentoring programs.
• More!

“What kind of resources do you have” may feel like an overly broad question. The university should know how to answer it.

A lack of comprehensive support materials is not necessarily a huge red flag—many students don’t even take advantage of them. It is something worth noting nonetheless.

What Is Your NCLEX Pass Rate?

The NCLEX is a standardized test that nurses need to pass before they can become fully licensed. It is a very difficult exam in that it condenses four years of learning into a single test. The good news is that, on average, approximately 86% of people do pass it on their first attempt. The bad news is that people who don't pass it on their first attempt may not ever pass it.

Most schools will have a very good idea of what their NCLEX pass rate is and should be able to give you more information. It doesn't necessarily say anything about what your experience will be like, but it may indicate how well they prepare students or what kind of study resources they provide.

Do You Offer Social or Collaborative Opportunities?

In a traditional classroom environment, nurses in training are able to interact with one another. Not only is this a great way to make like-minded friends, but it can be a good opportunity to source studying strategies or just develop a support network when things get hard. It is almost always harder to develop these relationships online, even when schools make an active point of doing so.

That said, some are better at it than others. It definitely does not hurt to ask how an online school approaches social interactions in the classroom.

How Flexible Is the Curriculum?

Many people choose online learning specifically for the flexibility, but there are endless variations in how flexible e-learning can be. Some courses are more or less similar in structure to traditional learning environments. They meet at scheduled times and consist of live lectures. The only difference is that you do not physically need to be in the room.

Other courses are pre-recorded, which allows much more flexibility, but generally also involves fewer peer and instructor interactions. The pre-recorded format is often a good fit for people who are already working a job or have family responsibilities, but it does require a lot more discipline and focus than traditional classroom learning would.

Conclusion

The good news is that no matter what your preferences are, there is likely a school out there that can match them. And by the way, if you do find a college that falls outside your regional accreditation process but is otherwise perfect for your lifestyle and learning requirements, you do not necessarily need to completely exclude it.

In those cases, the job may be to find out what additional steps you would need to take to become state licensed should you choose that school anyway. In some cases, the extra work may be as simple as filling out a few extra applications or maybe taking an additional test. Not necessarily tasks you want to have to do, but work that could be worthwhile in the grand scheme of things if it means finding the perfect program.

There are lots of options out there. Do your due diligence and find the one that best aligns with your lifestyle requirements.